* Original post on TamaraCamera on behalf of Quadrant2Design
Backpacking is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It offers a unique opportunity to experience exciting new cultures, meet new people from all over the world, try new experiences and be completely self-dependent.
An important part of making the most of your trip is to ensure that you’re well-prepared. Packing your bag, booking flights, organizing travel insurance and getting the necessary vaccinations are all things that are best done sooner rather than later, but it’s also important that you gather all of the information you need for your trip.
To make the most of your trip, it’s important to do your research before you set off. Some of the things you’ll want to find out about before you go include
- “Must-see” attractions & “must-do” activities
- Climate
- Costs
- Food
- Public transport
- Cultural differences
- Language
Gathering this information will help you relax and be prepared for anything that your travels might throw at you. There are so many ways to gather the information you need and here are some of the best.
Guidebooks & magazines
It might seem old-fashioned but guidebooks and magazines provide a great source of basic information about destinations, their history, culture, safety and travel tips.
Keep in mind that in print the information is already several months old by the time it is published so, while the culture and history may remain largely unchanged, other more timely information may be out of date. Many guidebook companies, like Lonely Planet and Rough Guides, now provide just as much information through their websites, with this information being kept up-to-date.
Travel agents and tour operators
Visiting a few travel agents and tour operators, collecting some brochures and asking questions is a good starting point and should provide you with the basic information you need.
Be prepared, because you’re almost guaranteed to receive their sales pitch, as the agent will want to make sure that you book with them. This is fine if you are intending to book some of your travels through an agent, but might be frustrating if you are planning to do it all yourself. In either case, be sure to shop around and don’t get sucked into the old “we can only hold this price for today” line.
Travel & tourism trade shows
One of the most underrated ways of gathering information for your travels is to visit a travel & tourism trade show. Ross Pike, Operations Director of trade show contractor Quadrant2Design, describes trade shows as “the place where industries gather to share information and expertise, network, discuss industry developments and build face-to-face relationships”.
At a trade show, you’ll have access to so much information that you probably won’t know where to begin. There’ll be thousands of travel industry professionals including travel agents, tour operators, tourist information companies, transport operators and tourist attraction businesses all ready, willing and able to provide valuable information.
You can check out relevant products and services, get up-to-date information from expert speakers and approach any relevant-looking trade show stands. If you’re lucky you might even get some useful freebies!
You’ll also have a unique opportunity to meet with like-minded travellers and gather tips on backpacking that you otherwise might not have thought of. Who knows, they might have been to your destination themselves!
Social media & forums
Social media can provide a fantastic source of travel information and inspiration. Type your destination into search bars, or simply ask your connections for information on your destination and backpacking in general. People love to talk about travelling, particularly if it means talking about their own experiences.
Likewise, asking questions on forums like Reddit can provide a wealth of information from people who have been where you’re going and have done what you’re doing.
Travel blogs
Travel blogs are a wealth of information provided by people who have done exactly what you’re looking to do. A simple Google search of your destination, followed by “travel blog” will pull up an abundance of useful information.
Travel blogs are a particularly useful source of information because, unlike travel industry professionals, bloggers have nothing to gain from providing misleading information. While travel agents and tour operators will only promote their own services, the information you gain from travel blogs is more likely to be objective and impartial.
Having said that, be sure to read content from a variety of bloggers as they’ll all offer their own unique point-of-view.
Travel vlogs
While you can obviously read lots of information about your destination in blogs, little can prepare you quite as well as seeing it on video. YouTube vlogs are a good source of information when it comes to travelling because people love to record their experiences and tell the world about them.
This can include positive experiences that you might want to try for yourself as well as negative experiences and tips on how to avoid them during your own trip.
Travel vloggers, like travel bloggers, are typically experienced travellers and will know the most important information to share with their viewers. This makes it a good way to cut through the irrelevant information and get straight to what you really need to know.
Documentaries
Much like Vlogs, documentaries are a great way of seeing your destination before you get there and can also provide a good conversation starter when meeting other backpackers.
Podcasts
There are thousands of travel podcasts available and many will cover your destination in great detail. Generic travel podcasts will include useful information and tips on travelling in general, which will be useful if you’re new to backpacking, while more specific podcasts can also provide invaluable information about your destination.
Reviews
Reviews are a great way of finding information before you go. Sites like TripAdvisor provide a wealth of information about attractions, tour operators, hotels, restaurants and almost any other business you might come into contact with, from people who have experienced them first-hand.
Reviews will provide a good indication of which places you should visit, as well as those you’ll want to avoid. Keep in mind though that people are usually very passionate about their experiences when writing reviews, so you should take any extremely positive or extremely negative reviews with a pinch of salt.
All of these are good sources of information for your first backpacking trip, but none of them will cover everything. If you want to be fully informed it’s best to use a combination of these options, as that will give you a more wide-ranging variety of information. By attending a travel & tourism trade show, reading some reviews and blog articles, listening to a couple of podcasts and watching some relevant documentaries and travel videos, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from your first backpacking trip and be ready to make the most of this life-changing experience.